Hardware Design Engineer Job Description

Hardware design engineers develop, improve, and test components and systems including circuit boards, processors, and memory cards for computers and other devices. This highly technical role requires attention to detail through the design, deployment, and troubleshooting processes, since hardware design engineers need to analyze test data to enhance performance, make repairs and changes to both analog and digital circuitry, and ensure proper functionality.

While many hardware design engineers work with computers, an increasing number of engineers specialize in designing hardware for devices that incorporate processors, networking devices, or circuit boards, such as mobile phones, vehicles, or Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Hardware Design Engineer Duties and Responsibilities

The hardware design engineer’s specific responsibilities can depend on the type of device they design and their specific role on the engineering team, but many of the core duties remain consistent:

Design and Develop Hardware Components

The foremost duty of a hardware design engineer is developing and designing hardware components including circuit boards, switches, processors, and networking elements. A hardware design engineer examines technological specifications and functional requirements, designing components and systems that will deliver the expected performance while working in tandem with other analog or digital elements of the device.

Modify Existing Hardware

Hardware design engineers make modifications to existing hardware components and systems based on changes in functional requirements or use cases. They may also modify hardware elements to eliminate performance issues that cause the device to malfunction. In this aspect of the role, the hardware design engineer ensures that changes to components work with the system as a whole and do not impede performance.

Test Components

Hardware design engineers conduct component tests throughout the design process, testing the elements individually and in conjunction with other hardware (and sometimes software) systems. The hardware design engineer then analyzes test data to guide changes, enhance system performance and stability, and eliminate defects. Each time the hardware is altered, engineers need to conduct additional tests to ensure functionality and performance.

Create Documents and Specifications

Hardware design engineers prepare and maintain documents throughout the design and development process. These can include data regarding equipment specifications, power requirements for digital and analog components, and notes on testing or configuration. Rigorous documentation ensures that components and systems work as intended and can be successfully integrated into other devices. Maintaining documentation also helps with testing and troubleshooting by providing a detailed record of changes and fixes.

Oversee Manufacturing Processes

Many hardware design engineers collaborate with manufacturing personnel to ensure that elements are built according to specifications. A hardware design engineer may work closely with fabricators to create a prototype of a design in order to conduct further testing and modifications and modify the design based on this prototype. They also provide feedback to manufacturing teams to update specifications and requirements.

Collaborate with Software Developers

In some cases, a hardware design engineer may also work with software engineers and developers during the development cycle, especially if they are designing hardware for computers, phones, or devices that integrate with software systems. This ensures that the hardware reliably runs the intended software. This collaboration often results in many rounds of testing and revision to both hardware and software components.

Hardware Design Engineer Skills and Qualifications

Hardware design engineers need a high level of attention to detail paired with excellent technical and analytical skills. Companies typically hire applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a related field, along with the following skills:

Electrical engineering – because they work with both digital and analog circuitry, a background in electrical engineering is a necessity for hardware design engineers

Prototyping experience – knowledge of manufacturing and prototyping processes can be extremely helpful in this role, since hardware design engineers tend to work with fabricators to develop models and rapid prototypes

Process enhancement – hardware design engineers should be able to identify opportunities to enhance efficiency to reduce development time and improve device functionality

Mathematics – this role requires an excellent grasp of mathematics and particularly thorough knowledge of math related to circuitry, signal switching, and processing

Analytical thinking – hardware design engineers conduct tests and interpret the results, so effective analytical skills and the ability to process data and derive insights from that data is vital

Communication skills – written and verbal communication is also important in this role, since hardware design engineers create documentation and specifications for components they design and work with other engineers

Tools of the Trade

Hardware design engineers use computers to design components, and they use the following tools to build components and prototypes:

Hardware Design Engineer Education and Training

Hardware design engineers need at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field, which can include electrical engineering or computer engineering, depending on their specific industry. Hardware design engineers should seek out degrees from programs accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Hardware design engineers may also need to take continuing education courses during their career to maintain familiarity with trends and emerging technologies as hardware processes and best practices evolve.

Hardware Design Engineer Salary and Outlook

Hardware design engineer salaries can vary based on their specific field and focus. Computer hardware engineers, for example, earn a median annual wage of $115,120, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. The same data shows that electronics engineers earn a median yearly wage of $97,970.

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